Second trial begins in group of Iowa bias claims

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A trial in which the state of Iowa is alleged to have discriminated against a black woman who was fired in 1999 has begun with jury selection.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of Tereasa Jefferson is the second case to stem from a class-action lawsuit that claimed thousands of blacks were denied state jobs due to a pattern of discrimination in state government hiring practices. A judge ruled plaintiffs in the class-action case failed to prove discrimination. The decision is on appeal to Iowa Supreme Court.

Four of the individuals are trying cases separately. Jefferson’s case is the second to go to trial in Polk County.

On Wednesday attorneys began questioning a pool of potential jurors to narrow the number to eight and an alternate to hear the case.